George S. Riley papers

George S. Riley (1822-1919) was born in Rochester, New York. He was the eldest son of Ashbel Wells Riley who came to Rochester in 1816, the year before Rochester was incorporated as Rochesterville. Ashbel Riley was known in his later years as a prolific temperance speaker. While George did not directly follow in his father's footsteps, he was a a lifelong temperance supporter, and both wrote and spoke on the topic. According to his obituary, George S. Riley was a prominent society figure in his prime. He dressed in the latest styles and he was recognized prominently within the best social circles of his day. As befit a gentleman of his stature, Riley was a member of the Genessee Valley Club and of the board of directors for the Industrial School of Rochester. Riley never married and lived quietly during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, though he continued to travel and maintain extensive correspondence with friends and siblings. After living in the Osburn House, he moved to Geneseo to spend his remaining days there. He died in 1919 at the age of ninety-seven.

George S. Riley was best known for his once extensive real estate holdings within the city of Rochester. His massive real estate holdings began upon the death of his father, who owned 240 acres with Josiah Bissell on the east side of the Genesee River. Riley acquired most of this property and bought much more property along with it. By 1875, Riley was considered to be the most extensive real estate holder in Rochester. Taxes levied by the city of Rochester began to accumulate on the hundreds of lots of land he owned. He refused to sell the property because he believed in a short time the land would become valuable and he would make a fortune. The unpaid taxes continued to rise and the city of Rochester acquired his land to pay for the unpaid taxes.